HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 1558

                           As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the compensation survey for the state patrol.

Brief Description:  Improving the state patrol compensation survey.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives R. Meyers, R. Fisher, Schmidt, Orr, Hargrove, G. Fisher, Cooper, Zellinsky, Holland, Winsley, Betrozoff and Ludwig; by request of Legislative Transportation Committee.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 27, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 12, 1991, 93-0;

Amended by Senate;

House concurred;

Passed Legislature, 93-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Cantwell; Cooper; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Heavey; Horn; P. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307).

Background:  The Department of Personnel (DOP) is responsible for conducting an annual salary survey for the commissioned personnel of the Washington State Patrol (WSP).

Concerns were expressed by members of the Legislature that the current survey did not reflect the jurisdictions against which the WSP is competing in the recruitment of and retention of commissioned officers.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington State Patrol (WSP) commissioned officers' salary survey is broadened to reflect total compensation, as opposed to base pay.  The survey is also broadened to include entry-level officer candidates.

The compensation survey would report median and base range averages, as well as the currently weighted averages of salaries.

The Department of Personnel (DOP) shall compare WSP personnel compensation with law enforcement officers' compensation in the competitive labor market.

The compensation survey results and the recommendations of the WSP chief are to be submitted to the Legislative Transportation Committee, in addition to the current reports submitted to the Office of Financial Management, the Senate Ways & Means Committee and the House Fiscal Committees.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The compensation review would be broadened to include all forms of compensation, and to include entry-level officers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Deputy Chief Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol.